Many private school teachers’ monthly salaries are between N15,000 and N30,000, which are below the country’s minimum wage of N70,000. The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and other trade unions have been calling for a review of the wage owing to high cost of living. Holiday period is, however, a challenging time for the teachers, because of most proprietors’ penchant for non-payment of salaries, Olasumbo Aniunlopo, Precious Salman, Opeyemi Dokumu and Chinaza Emedom report
Most teachers in private schools dread holiday periods because of many proprietors’ penchant for not paying salaries. The financial strain force many private school teachers to rely on their savings, take on part-time work or seek loans to cover basic expenses.
School resumption week is also a difficult time for private school owners, who are struggling to hold on to their teaching staff. Parents and their wards are also concerned over quality education, which may be at risk.
A record number of private schools in the country pay their teachers a monthly salary of between N15,000 and N30,000, which are below Nigeria’s minimum wage of N70,000, a pay that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and other trade unions have been calling for a review owing to increase in fuel prices. Already, Nigerians are battling to keep their heads above the soaring living costs, which have continued to escalate. The private school teachers are also not allowed to unionise to fight for their rights.
The sentiment among most of the teachers during the holiday is that of frustration and concern. While they remain committed to their pupils, the non-payment of salaries had taken a toll on their financial security and morale. The turn-out of teachers in private schools is always high during the holidays with many of them moving to other lucrative schools or jobs.
Those who stay over in most private schools are either married female teachers, who feargetting employment in faraway places from their homes. Many teachers also resume in their schools after considering the extra funds they get from tutorials they give to their pupils.
But with the resumption of schools, they are hopeful that their school authorities will resume payment of their salaries, allowing them to continue providing quality education without financial distraction.
Private school teachers on their situations and coping skills
For Mr. Akinola Victor Toluwani, a teacher in a school in Surulere, Lagos, every holiday period is a bad experience for him and his family because there is no salary for him at the end of each month, except when the pupils resume. The music and mathematics teacher then decided to learn data analysis and other skills to enjoy other streams of income. According to him, extra lessons are no longer sustainable as most of the pupils travel during the holiday.
Explaining his situations, he said: “I had to cut some of my expenses during the holiday, for example daily data subscription. I was not able to go out because of the fuel scarcity and high transport fares. Well, as we resumed now, I’m looking forward to teach my students about robotics and Artificial Intelligence since that’s what is trending now.”
Also, Miss Nneoma Blessing, a teacher in the same area, said it wasn’t a funny experience. But, at same time, she had to manage to cut her expenses.
“I have a savings somewhere and I knew a day like that was going to come. I also have a business which serves as an income during the holiday – I make cultural beads.
“I decided to adjust some of my expenses during the holiday because salaries were not paid. I had a budget and I also made sure I didn’t spend beyond my budget. I’m thankful to my school management for organising summer lessons, from which we were able to collect little stipends,” Miss Blessing said.
To Mr. Lasisi Alaka, a dedicated teacher at a secondary school in Nekede, Imo State, he went without pay during the holiday period, leaving his family in a desperate struggle to make ends meet.
Alaka’s wife, a thriving businesswoman, was a pillar of strength to the family, using her entrepreneurial skills to support her husband and provide for their needs during the challenging time. Her contributions helped cushion the effects of the delayed salaries, but the uncertainty remains.
Alaka and his wife urged the school administration to prioritise their welfare by ensuring timely salary payments and offering support during holidays.
If the situation doesn’t improve, he might be forced to abandon his passion for teaching, he said.
“The government must intervene to address this crisis, ensuring that teachers receive their rightful pay so that we can focus on nurturing young minds without financial burdens,” Alaka said.
Also, some teachers at St. Damaris Nursery and Primary School, at No. 8, Shobowale Street, off Baba Olopa Bus Stop, Igando, Lagos, narrated their experiences during an interview with The Nation.
The staff members expressed their appreciation for the school’s dedication to its employees.
“We have received 12 months of salary without any delay,” one of them said, emphasising that the school had maintained this practice without failing.”
Her colleague, Mrs. Ijeoma Obi, added: “Some private schools I know don’t pay their teaching staff the full salary, especially during the holidays. But, St. Damaris has been exceptional — they owe no staff any salary.”
Other teachers from nearby schools also shared similar and contrasting experiences.
Miss Adeyemo Dorcas, a teacher at Groom Base Nursery/Primary School, spoke about her side “hustles” during the school holidays.
“Aside from being an educator, I am also a fashion designer and run summer classes. The money from summer classes is not for the teachers but for the school, although participation is voluntary,” Miss Adeyemo.
Mrs. Mary Leonard, another teacher, reflected on how many of her colleagues were able to weather the difficult economic storms with the support of their spouses and extended family.
At De-OHM Nursery/Primary School, a teacher, Moses, shared a different perspective.
He said: “At the end of summer classes in August, the teachers collected the money from extra lessons, and we still got our regular monthly salaries.” He acknowledged that despite the difficult economy, these extra lessons provided a significant financial boost for teachers.
Miss Chidinma Oyehezewe, a Basic Three teacher, credited faith for getting her through tough times. “God has been faithful to us. Teaching is about passion, especially for private school teachers. We have other ways to support ourselves by taking on private tutoring for families, who want personalised education for their children.”
However, another teacher, Ruth Lucky, stressed the need for teachers to diversify their income sources. “Today, you can’t just be a teacher without having a side hustle or business to support yourself. I thank God for always providing during these hard times,” she said.
Multiple taxations and low tuition obstructing schools
Some private schools owners, who craved anonymity, had complained about the high cost of running their institutions. They also complained of multiple taxations by the three tiers of government with parents refusing moves to increase fees in private schools.
According to proprietors, private schools are groaning under multiple taxes imposed on them by various agencies of government across the states.
The taxes include business premises, waste management agency fees, local government levies, emblems for school buses and signage or billboards, among others. They are paid every academic year to agencies sent to enforce them.
The Nation gathered that schools are taxed based on their size. A school owner notes that inability to pay results in closure or court case.
However, school owners and education stakeholders want constructive dialogue with governments at a time the nation’s economic outlook is bleak, coupled with the fuel subsidy removal, which has caused increase in prices of commodities and services.
NAPPS defends members
The National President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Mr. Yomi Otubela, said private schools under his association generally paid their staff monthly, whether during the school term or holidays.
“For instance, Lagooz Schools has, since its inception, consistently paid 12-month salaries and bonuses to staff, regardless of whether the school is in session or on holiday.
“However, in some cases, schools with a weak financial foundation may face liquidity challenges, particularly during holiday periods.
“Additionally, some schools operate without proper registration with the appropriate authority or adherence to corporate governance. Therefore, such schools run with no legal backing and appropriate monitorin,” he said.
He said NAPPS firmly believes that teachers are the backbone of quality education, and their welfare must be prioritised at all times.
“While private school owners face operational and financial challenges, particularly during long holidays when income streams may dwindle, NAPPS advocates for consistent and fair remuneration for teachers, including during holiday periods. This ensures the retention of quality staff and boosts morale, ultimately benefiting the students.
“Furthermore, NAPPS Nigeria regularly organises sensitisation programmes on financial management to equip school owners with strategic methods for fostering financial discipline. These programmes also explore ways to maintain a steady income and diversify revenue streams, ensuring that teachers and staff are fairly compensated throughout the year. “In conclusion, NAPPS Nigeria regularly encourages school owners to value and support their staff members.”
Otubela had on numerous occasions complained about multiple taxations from the Federal Government and state governments, advocating urgent collaboration and policies to help reduce operational costs for private schools due to inflation in the country.
He said: “Critical meetings with the education stakeholders are imperative to keep the minister abreast of the challenges within the sector. This is necessary to proffer appropriate solutions to them.
“Policy formulation and implementation must take cognisance of the inputs of various education stakeholders. Periodic reviews of policies are needed to ensure that they are meeting and achieving their objectives as expected.” Otubela noted that urgent government intervention policies would help subsidise access to teaching resources and lower taxes on educational materials. He added that the policies would provide concessionary interest rates on loans for members.
NAPTAN urges govt to revisit Petroleum Act
Also speaking, Deputy National President of NAPTAN, Mr. Adeolu Ogunbanjo, appealed to the Federal Government to revisit the petroleum Act. He urged the government to reverse the fuel price hike, which had caused financial constraints in the country.
“Government should endeavour to make some sacrifices to enable the people live up to their responsibilities over their wards.
“Governments should understand that schools must resume and children have to go back to school, they should do everything possible to ease the burden on parents,” he said.
